I'm trying to stick with the Brooch a Day challenge again. I decided that each day I will try to incorporate some part of my day into the pin that I create. Today, I was figuring how to balance things in my life. So, I started with a circle. Then divided the circle into a texture and a non-texture.

There's always a pull between one thing and another. Embrace them both and wear them like a badge. Balance.

Follow my 2013 Brooch a Day challenge progress here.See the full group of participants and their brooches here.

It's been a wonderfully busy time, working on custom orders. Part of the challenge on days like this is how to work time for a new design into a full schedule. There are times during the day, waiting for something to soak, to dry, cool, etc. I use that time and scraps of whatever I am working on to create something new.

I made several wedding bands with dates hand stamped inside. I always test the stamp first on some scrap copper. This scrap had a nice little arch (itself a scrap from cutting out a copper cross.) An arch of numbers designed itself as I worked. I simply made some copper jump rings and attached it to a little brass kilt pin.

Rustic Opal Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

Lullaby Good Night Pin/Pendant

I created an opal engagement ring and matching wedding band. An extra strip of silver from the band and a bit of leftover bezel were enough to create this little pin/pendant. I stamped a moon and stars on both pieces. After I set the opal, I used the same tools to set a blue zircon on the pin.

Isn't it cute? I call it Lullaby Good Night. I twisted an extra loop on the back, so it's both a pin and a pendant.

Jersey Shore Wampum Pin

Turquoise Pendant (SOLD)

There has been an empty bezel on my bench for almost a year. I originally made it to hold a pretty turquoise cabochon. I decided to go with a different style and so, the empty bezel sat, waiting for another stone. It was a unique shape, so I never really thought I would find something to fit. But, as I was waiting for some work to soak, I found this little wampum clam shell fit perfectly!

What do you do everyday? Is there a way to recycle the leftover scraps of your work into something new? I just wrote this blog sitting in a waiting room. There is always time and materials to create something new!

Last week, during Brooch a Day, I decided to play with layers and dimension. I like the way some vintage pins are constructed by setting stones in each layer and then cold connecting them all together. (Cold connection means that no heat is used to join the metals, which is a good thing if you want to set stones before connecting. Most stones, except diamonds, can't handle too much heat.)

I used the scrap metal that was on my bench and cold connected the layers.

I annealed the metal to soften it and then formed it a bit, to experiment with depth.

I realized one reason that flowers are a popular motif for brooches. The layered petals in nature can be reproduced with layers of metal. I rarely show flowers in my work, but I decided to cut the metal like flowers, just this once.

Since a cold connection can be any material, I went with simple suede cord instead of metal, to flaunt that option.

I'm enjoying the every day challenge as I take steps each day to play with a process, technique or design.